Name:
Benzene
Synonym:
Benzol; Cyclohexatriene; Phenyl hydride
CAS:
71-43-2
Section 1 - Chemical Product
MSDS Name:Benzene
Synonym:Benzol; Cyclohexatriene; Phenyl hydride
Synonym:Benzol; Cyclohexatriene; Phenyl hydride
Section 2 - COMPOSITION, INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS
| CAS# | Chemical Name | emsds | EINECS# |
| 71-43-2 | Benzene | > 99 | 200-753-7 |
| Hazard Symbols: T F Risk Phrases: 11 45 48/23/24/25 |
Section 3 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION
EMERGENCY OVERVIEW
Highly flammable. May cause cancer. Toxic : danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation, contact with skin and if swallowed.
Potential Health Effects
Eye:
Causes eye irritation.
Skin:
Causes skin irritation. Harmful if absorbed through the skin.
Prolonged and/or repeated contact may cause defatting of the skin and dermatitis.
Ingestion:
May cause central nervous system depression, characterized by excitement, followed by headache, dizziness, drowsiness, and nausea.
Advanced stages may cause collapse, unconsciousness, coma and possible death due to respiratory failure. May cause effects similar to those for inhalation exposure. Aspiration of material into the lungs may cause chemical pneumonitis, which may be fatal.
Inhalation:
Causes respiratory tract irritation. May cause drowsiness, unconsciousness, and central nervous system depression. Exposure may lead to irreversible bone marrow injury. Exposure may lead to aplastic anemia.
Chronic:
May cause bone marrow abnormalities with damage to blood forming tissues. May cause anemia and other blood cell abnormalities. Chronic exposure to benzene has been associated with an increased incidence of leukemia and multiple myeloma (tumor composed of cells of the type normally found in the bone marrow). Immunodepressive effects have been reported. This substance has caused adverse reproductive and fetal effects in laboratory animals.
Highly flammable. May cause cancer. Toxic : danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation, contact with skin and if swallowed.
Potential Health Effects
Eye:
Causes eye irritation.
Skin:
Causes skin irritation. Harmful if absorbed through the skin.
Prolonged and/or repeated contact may cause defatting of the skin and dermatitis.
Ingestion:
May cause central nervous system depression, characterized by excitement, followed by headache, dizziness, drowsiness, and nausea.
Advanced stages may cause collapse, unconsciousness, coma and possible death due to respiratory failure. May cause effects similar to those for inhalation exposure. Aspiration of material into the lungs may cause chemical pneumonitis, which may be fatal.
Inhalation:
Causes respiratory tract irritation. May cause drowsiness, unconsciousness, and central nervous system depression. Exposure may lead to irreversible bone marrow injury. Exposure may lead to aplastic anemia.
Chronic:
May cause bone marrow abnormalities with damage to blood forming tissues. May cause anemia and other blood cell abnormalities. Chronic exposure to benzene has been associated with an increased incidence of leukemia and multiple myeloma (tumor composed of cells of the type normally found in the bone marrow). Immunodepressive effects have been reported. This substance has caused adverse reproductive and fetal effects in laboratory animals.
Section 4 - FIRST AID MEASURES
Eyes: In case of contact, immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Get medical aid.
Skin:
In case of contact, flush skin with plenty of water. Remove contaminated clothing and shoes. Get medical aid if irritation develops and persists. Wash clothing before reuse.
Ingestion:
Potential for aspiration if swallowed. Get medical aid immediately.
Do not induce vomiting unless directed to do so by medical personnel. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
Inhalation:
If inhaled, remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Get medical aid.
Notes to Physician:
Skin:
In case of contact, flush skin with plenty of water. Remove contaminated clothing and shoes. Get medical aid if irritation develops and persists. Wash clothing before reuse.
Ingestion:
Potential for aspiration if swallowed. Get medical aid immediately.
Do not induce vomiting unless directed to do so by medical personnel. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
Inhalation:
If inhaled, remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Get medical aid.
Notes to Physician:
Section 5 - FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES
General Information:
As in any fire, wear a self-contained breathing apparatus in pressure-demand, MSHA/NIOSH (approved or equivalent), and full protective gear. Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers cool. Extremely flammable liquid and vapor. Vapor may cause flash fire. Approach fire from upwind to avoid hazardous vapors and toxic decomposition products. Vapors are heavier than air and may travel to a source of ignition and flash back. Vapors can spread along the ground and collect in low or confined areas. This liquid floats on water and may travel to a source of ignition and spread fire. May accumulate static electricity.
Extinguishing Media:
Use water spray, dry chemical, carbon dioxide, or appropriate foam.
As in any fire, wear a self-contained breathing apparatus in pressure-demand, MSHA/NIOSH (approved or equivalent), and full protective gear. Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers cool. Extremely flammable liquid and vapor. Vapor may cause flash fire. Approach fire from upwind to avoid hazardous vapors and toxic decomposition products. Vapors are heavier than air and may travel to a source of ignition and flash back. Vapors can spread along the ground and collect in low or confined areas. This liquid floats on water and may travel to a source of ignition and spread fire. May accumulate static electricity.
Extinguishing Media:
Use water spray, dry chemical, carbon dioxide, or appropriate foam.
Section 6 - ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES
General Information: Use proper personal protective equipment as indicated in Section 8.
Spills/Leaks:
Absorb spill with inert material (e.g. vermiculite, sand or earth), then place in suitable container. Avoid runoff into storm sewers and ditches which lead to waterways. Remove all sources of ignition.
Provide ventilation. Approach spill from upwind. Use water spray to cool and disperse vapors, protect personnel, and dilute spills to form nonflammable mixtures.
Spills/Leaks:
Absorb spill with inert material (e.g. vermiculite, sand or earth), then place in suitable container. Avoid runoff into storm sewers and ditches which lead to waterways. Remove all sources of ignition.
Provide ventilation. Approach spill from upwind. Use water spray to cool and disperse vapors, protect personnel, and dilute spills to form nonflammable mixtures.
Section 7 - HANDLING and STORAGE
Handling:
Wash thoroughly after handling. Remove contaminated clothing and wash before reuse. Ground and bond containers when transferring material. Avoid contact with eyes, skin, and clothing. Empty containers retain product residue, (liquid and/or vapor), and can be dangerous. Take precautionary measures against static discharges.
Keep container tightly closed. Do not pressurize, cut, weld, braze, solder, drill, grind, or expose empty containers to heat, sparks or open flames. Use only with adequate ventilation. Keep away from heat, sparks and flame. Avoid breathing vapor.
Storage:
Keep away from sources of ignition. Store in a tightly closed container. Keep from contact with oxidizing materials. Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from incompatible substances.
Wash thoroughly after handling. Remove contaminated clothing and wash before reuse. Ground and bond containers when transferring material. Avoid contact with eyes, skin, and clothing. Empty containers retain product residue, (liquid and/or vapor), and can be dangerous. Take precautionary measures against static discharges.
Keep container tightly closed. Do not pressurize, cut, weld, braze, solder, drill, grind, or expose empty containers to heat, sparks or open flames. Use only with adequate ventilation. Keep away from heat, sparks and flame. Avoid breathing vapor.
Storage:
Keep away from sources of ignition. Store in a tightly closed container. Keep from contact with oxidizing materials. Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from incompatible substances.
Section 8 - EXPOSURE CONTROLS, PERSONAL PROTECTION
Engineering Controls:
Use process enclosure, local exhaust ventilation, or other engineering controls to control airborne levels below recommended exposure limits. Use explosion-proof ventilation equipment.
Facilities storing or utilizing this material should be equipped with an eyewash facility and a safety shower. See 29CFR 1910.1028 for the regulatory requirements for the control of employee exposure to benzene.
Exposure Limits CAS# 71-43-2: United Kingdom, WEL - TWA: 1 ppm TWA United Kingdom, WEL - STEL: 3 ppm STEL United States OSHA: 10 ppm TWA (apply only to exempt industry segments); 25 ppm Ceiling; 1 ppm PEL; 5 ppm STEL; 0.5 ppm Action Level (Cancer hazard, Flammable - see 29 C FR 1910.1028) Belgium - TWA: 1 ppm VLE; 3.25 mg/m3 VLE France - VME: 1 ppm VME; 3.25 mg/m3 VME Germany: 1 ppm TWA; 3.25 mg/m3 TWA Germany: Skin absorber Japan: 1 ppm OEL (reference value) Malaysia: 0.5 ppm TWA; 1.6 mg/m3 TWA Netherlands: 1 ppm MAC; 3.25 mg/m3 MAC Russia: 15 mg/m3 TWA Russia: 5 mg/m3 STEL Spain: 1 ppm VLA-ED; 3.25 mg/m3 VLA-ED Personal Protective Equipment Eyes: Wear chemical splash goggles.
Skin:
Wear appropriate protective gloves to prevent skin exposure.
Clothing:
Wear appropriate protective clothing to prevent skin exposure.
Respirators:
A respiratory protection program that meets OSHAs 29 CFR 1910.134 and ANSI Z88.2 requirements or European Standard EN 149 must be followed whenever workplace conditions warrant respirator use.
Use process enclosure, local exhaust ventilation, or other engineering controls to control airborne levels below recommended exposure limits. Use explosion-proof ventilation equipment.
Facilities storing or utilizing this material should be equipped with an eyewash facility and a safety shower. See 29CFR 1910.1028 for the regulatory requirements for the control of employee exposure to benzene.
Exposure Limits CAS# 71-43-2: United Kingdom, WEL - TWA: 1 ppm TWA United Kingdom, WEL - STEL: 3 ppm STEL United States OSHA: 10 ppm TWA (apply only to exempt industry segments); 25 ppm Ceiling; 1 ppm PEL; 5 ppm STEL; 0.5 ppm Action Level (Cancer hazard, Flammable - see 29 C FR 1910.1028) Belgium - TWA: 1 ppm VLE; 3.25 mg/m3 VLE France - VME: 1 ppm VME; 3.25 mg/m3 VME Germany: 1 ppm TWA; 3.25 mg/m3 TWA Germany: Skin absorber Japan: 1 ppm OEL (reference value) Malaysia: 0.5 ppm TWA; 1.6 mg/m3 TWA Netherlands: 1 ppm MAC; 3.25 mg/m3 MAC Russia: 15 mg/m3 TWA Russia: 5 mg/m3 STEL Spain: 1 ppm VLA-ED; 3.25 mg/m3 VLA-ED Personal Protective Equipment Eyes: Wear chemical splash goggles.
Skin:
Wear appropriate protective gloves to prevent skin exposure.
Clothing:
Wear appropriate protective clothing to prevent skin exposure.
Respirators:
A respiratory protection program that meets OSHAs 29 CFR 1910.134 and ANSI Z88.2 requirements or European Standard EN 149 must be followed whenever workplace conditions warrant respirator use.
Section 9 - PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Physical State: Liquid
Color: clear colorless
Odor: sweetish odor - aromatic odor
pH: Not applicable.
Vapor Pressure: 75 mm Hg @ 20 deg C
Viscosity: 0.647mPa @ 20 deg C
Boiling Point: 80.1 deg C
Freezing/Melting Point: 5.5 deg C
Autoignition Temperature: 498 deg C ( 928.40 deg F)
Flash Point: -11 deg C ( 12.20 deg F)
Explosion Limits, lower: 1.3 vol %
Explosion Limits, upper: 7.1 vol %
Decomposition Temperature: Not available.
Solubility in water: 0.180 g/100 ml @ 25C
Specific Gravity/Density: 0.8765 @ 20C
Molecular Formula: C6H6
Molecular Weight: 78.11
Section 10 - STABILITY AND REACTIVITY
Chemical Stability:
Stable under normal temperatures and pressures.
Conditions to Avoid:
Ignition sources, excess heat, confined spaces.
Incompatibilities with Other Materials:
Strong oxidizing agents.
Hazardous Decomposition Products:
Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide.
Hazardous Polymerization: Has not been reported.
Stable under normal temperatures and pressures.
Conditions to Avoid:
Ignition sources, excess heat, confined spaces.
Incompatibilities with Other Materials:
Strong oxidizing agents.
Hazardous Decomposition Products:
Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide.
Hazardous Polymerization: Has not been reported.
Section 11 - TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
RTECS#:
CAS# 71-43-2: CY1400000 LD50/LC50:
CAS# 71-43-2: Dermal, guinea pig: LD50 = >9400 uL/kg; Draize test, rabbit, eye: 88 mg Moderate; Draize test, rabbit, eye: 2 mg/24H Severe; Draize test, rabbit, skin: 20 mg/24H Moderate; Inhalation, mouse: LC50 = 9980 ppm; Inhalation, mouse: LC50 = 24 mL/kg/2H; Inhalation, rat: LC50 = 10000 ppm/7H; Inhalation, rat: LC50 = 34 mL/kg/2H; Inhalation, rat: LC50 = 6.5 mL/kg/4H; Oral, mouse: LD50 = 4700 mg/kg; Oral, rat: LD50 = 930 mg/kg; Oral, rat: LD50 = 1 mL/kg; Oral, rat: LD50 = 1800 mg/kg; Skin, rabbit: LD50 = >9400 uL/kg.
Benzene is considered very toxic; probable human oral lethal dose would be 50-500 mg/kg. Human inhalation of approximately 20,000 ppm (2% in air) was fatal in 5-10 minutes.While percutaneous absorption of liquid benzene through intact human skin can be limited (e.g., 0.05% of the applied dose), the absorbed dose via direct dermal contact combined with that received from body surface exposure to benzene in workplace air is such that a substantial fraction (20-40%) of the total exposure is due to skin absorption.
Carcinogenicity:
Benzene - ACGIH: A1 - Confirmed Human Carcinogen California: carcinogen, initial date 2/27/87 NTP: Known carcinogen IARC: Group 1 carcinogen Other:
See actual entry in RTECS for complete information.
CAS# 71-43-2: CY1400000 LD50/LC50:
CAS# 71-43-2: Dermal, guinea pig: LD50 = >9400 uL/kg; Draize test, rabbit, eye: 88 mg Moderate; Draize test, rabbit, eye: 2 mg/24H Severe; Draize test, rabbit, skin: 20 mg/24H Moderate; Inhalation, mouse: LC50 = 9980 ppm; Inhalation, mouse: LC50 = 24 mL/kg/2H; Inhalation, rat: LC50 = 10000 ppm/7H; Inhalation, rat: LC50 = 34 mL/kg/2H; Inhalation, rat: LC50 = 6.5 mL/kg/4H; Oral, mouse: LD50 = 4700 mg/kg; Oral, rat: LD50 = 930 mg/kg; Oral, rat: LD50 = 1 mL/kg; Oral, rat: LD50 = 1800 mg/kg; Skin, rabbit: LD50 = >9400 uL/kg.
Benzene is considered very toxic; probable human oral lethal dose would be 50-500 mg/kg. Human inhalation of approximately 20,000 ppm (2% in air) was fatal in 5-10 minutes.While percutaneous absorption of liquid benzene through intact human skin can be limited (e.g., 0.05% of the applied dose), the absorbed dose via direct dermal contact combined with that received from body surface exposure to benzene in workplace air is such that a substantial fraction (20-40%) of the total exposure is due to skin absorption.
Carcinogenicity:
Benzene - ACGIH: A1 - Confirmed Human Carcinogen California: carcinogen, initial date 2/27/87 NTP: Known carcinogen IARC: Group 1 carcinogen Other:
See actual entry in RTECS for complete information.
Section 12 - ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Ecotoxicity:
Fish: Mosquito Fish: TLm = 395 mg/L; 24 Hr; UnspecifiedFish: Goldfish: LC50 =46 mg/L; 24 Hr; Modified ASTM D 1345Fish: Fathead Minnow: LC50 = 15.1 mg/L; 96 Hr; Flow-through at 25C (pH 7.9-8.0)Fish: Rainbow trout: LC50 = 5.3 mg/L; 96 Hr; Flow-through at 25C (pH 7.9-8.0)Fish: Bluegill/Sunfish: LD50 = 20 mg/L; 24-48 Hr; UnspecifiedIf benzene is released to soil, it will be subject to rapid volatilization near the surface and that which does not evaporate will be highly to very highly mobile in the soil and may leach to groundwater. If benzene is released to water, it will be subject to rapid volatilization. It will not be expected to
Fish: Mosquito Fish: TLm = 395 mg/L; 24 Hr; UnspecifiedFish: Goldfish: LC50 =46 mg/L; 24 Hr; Modified ASTM D 1345Fish: Fathead Minnow: LC50 = 15.1 mg/L; 96 Hr; Flow-through at 25C (pH 7.9-8.0)Fish: Rainbow trout: LC50 = 5.3 mg/L; 96 Hr; Flow-through at 25C (pH 7.9-8.0)Fish: Bluegill/Sunfish: LD50 = 20 mg/L; 24-48 Hr; UnspecifiedIf benzene is released to soil, it will be subject to rapid volatilization near the surface and that which does not evaporate will be highly to very highly mobile in the soil and may leach to groundwater. If benzene is released to water, it will be subject to rapid volatilization. It will not be expected to
Section 13 - DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS
Dispose of in a manner consistent with federal, state, and local regulations.
Section 14 - TRANSPORT INFORMATION
IATA
Shipping Name: BENZENE
Hazard Class: 3
UN Number: 1114
Packing Group: II
IMO
Shipping Name: BENZENE
Hazard Class: 3.2
UN Number: 1114
Packing Group: II
RID/ADR
Shipping Name: BENZENE
Hazard Class: 3
UN Number: 1114
Packing group: II
USA RQ: CAS# 71-43-2: 10 lb final RQ (receives an adjustable RQ of 10 lbs based
Section 15 - REGULATORY INFORMATION
European/International Regulations
European Labeling in Accordance with EC Directives
Hazard Symbols: T F
Risk Phrases:
R 45 May cause cancer.
R 11 Highly flammable.
R 48/23/24/25 Toxic : danger of serious damage to
health by prolonged exposure through inhalation,
contact with skin and if swallowed.
Safety Phrases:
S 53 Avoid exposure - obtain special instructions
before use.
S 45 In case of accident or if you feel unwell, seek
medical advice immediately (show the label where
possible).
WGK (Water Danger/Protection)
CAS# 71-43-2: 3
Canada
CAS# 71-43-2 is listed on Canadas DSL List.
CAS# 71-43-2 is listed on Canadas Ingredient Disclosure List.
US FEDERAL
TSCA
CAS# 71-43-2 is listed on the TSCA inventory.
